Combustion apparatus



Jan. 18, 1949. v 3, PETER "2,459,583,

COMBUSTION APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l w may FLOWmrz/mso/nm no) law FLOW I N V EN TOR. GZAiZcZZ/B aPeZer, BY

Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNITED," STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBUSTIONAPPARATUS Gustave C: Peter, Wauwatosa, Wis. Application June 29, 1944,Serial No. 542,709

-The present invention relates to combustion apparatus of the type thatemploys liquid fuel vaporizers, having particular reference to a noveltype of fuel fiow control valve. to be used in conjunction therewith,and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No.508,490, filed November 1, 1943, now abandoned.

A principal object of the invention is to provide means selectively tovary the amount of air entering the vaporizer, and means cooperativelyassociated with the air control means relatively to vary the amount offuel entering the vaporizer. More specifically, it is an object of theinvention toprovidea combustion apparatus having means disposed at thetop of the vaporizer for changing thesize of the opening between thevaporizer and combustion chamber, the means preferably comprising one ormore annular disks eachihaving a central openingof smaller size than theopening between the vaporizer and the combustionchamber, therebyselectively to vary the amount of air entering the vaporizer, and a fuelflow control valve connected with disk operating mechanism selectivelyto vary the amount of fuel entering the vaporizer in accordance with theposition of the chosen disk on the vaporizer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid fuel valve forcombustion apparatus employing. a fuel vaporizer, comprising a valvememher having an outlet therein for communication With a fuel conduit,and means for opening and closing the outlet selectively to vary theamount of fuel permitted to flow through the which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment ofliquid fuel flow control valve contemplated by the present invention,

mounted in position in a conventional float valve shown fragmentarilyand in section, depicting the valve in position for high flow of fuel;

Fig 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 depicting the valvearranged inposition for intermediate flow;

4 Claims. (Cl. 251-34) Fig. 3 is another view similar to Figs. 1 and 2depicting the valve arranged in positionfor lo flow; i l

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of a combustionapparatus and vaporizer, generally illustrating the position of thevalve of Figs. 1 through 3 to be used in conjunction there with; i i

Fig. 5 is aplan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, illustrating apreferred form of actuating mechanism between the disk means for regulatingthe quantityof air drawn into the vapor izer, and the valve forregulatingthe flow of liquid fuel thereto; and i i Fig. 6 is a verticalit end elevational view, taken along the line B-6 of Fig. 5 and lookingin the direction of the arrows, partly in section, further illustratingthe actuating mechanism between the disk operating means for regulatingthe air con trol and the valve device for regulating thef'uel control.

The combustion apparatus, or space heater, utiiizing the vaporizer, orvaporizingpot, which is herein illustrated is of the type disclosed inthe Breese patents, particularly those shown in Patents Nos. 2,179,610and 2,181,261. These patents disclose various modifications ofmeans forselectively varying the amount of air whichis permlttedto be drawn intoa vaporizer.

The present invention contemplates the use of such devices, aswell asothers suitable for selectively regulating the quantity of air drawninto the vaporizer, in combination with the liquid fuel control device,or valve, hereinafter more fully described.

Briefly, conventional burners of thisltype utilize a small amount ofhydrocarbon oil passed; through a conduit, or fuel pipe, entering. thebottom of the vaporizer. This is ignited by any suitable Initially,combustion occurs immediately above the surface of the oil, resulting inconsiderable smoke and soot. The heat resulting from combustionvaporizes the oil that is fed through the fuel pipe once combustionisstarted. Thereafter. the place where combustion occurs depends largelyupon the rate at which the oil is fed to the burner. i a

With a restricted flow of' oil to the burner, as for 10w fire operation,combustion occursin the lower portion of the vaporizer. By increasin theflow of oil there is a corresponding increase in the amount of vaporsgenerated, and the lower limit of the zone of combustionmoves upwardaway from the surface of the oil in the vaporizer.

When the flow of oil is increased to maximum; for

shell ll surrounded by an outer shell It, In the lower portion of theshell I2 is secured an. annular flange l3. Suspended from this flange isa vaporizer, or vaporizer pot, i4.

The side walls of this vaporizer preferably are.

perforated, as at l5, and these perforations are known as the primaryair inlets. Near the top of the vaporizer is another series ofperforations I6 more closely grouped together; These perforationsareknown. as the secondary airs-inlets- On top of the pot i4 is a disk I"!having a central .opening thereinindica ted generally at. [8.

4 the amount of oil flowing to the vaporizer to accommodate thesevarying conditions of high and low fire.

When it is desirable to have a medium fire, the intermediate annulardisk 23, having a central opening 24', is utilized. This central openingis of intermediate cross sectional area when compared to the opening ISin the top of the vaporizer and the central opening 2! in the disk 20.The disk 23 isloweredinto' position over the opening" 18 also by meansof a rod 22'. Each rod, 22 is equipped with a handle 25 at its end. Withthe disk 23 lowered into position it is again necessary; independentlyto regulate the flow of vantages. At the high fire stage .ofioperationall,

orsubstantially all, of the air admitted to. the vaporizer through theprimary air inlets l'5g. is-

admixed with the oil vapor, prior to; the. burning;

place toward the bottom of the vaporizer.:, This results in inefficientutilization of the fuel, evidenced by a smoky flame and the.accumulation of carbon in the burner- In the patents above referred. to,thisproblem was solved by regulating the flow of air bycontrolling thesize of the opening at. the topof? the vaporizer. That is to say; whenthe flow of; liquid fuel to the vaporizerdiminishes, the size of theaperture. at thetop of therburner is correspondingly diminished in crosssection-.. I

A preferred formof means utilizes one or more annular disks with smalleropening-s than that already in the conventional. disk. disposed atthetop of the burner. This is done by hingedly afiix ing such disks tothetop of the vaporizer in such a manner that theycan be swung. into; andout of position by means of rods. with handles ex.- tending exteriorlyof the apparatus.

In the accompanying. drawing two of such disks have been illustrated. inupwardly. raised position. One of these. disks 20 has. a very. smallopening 2| therein. When such-a. disk is lowered into position by meansof the rod. 22. the. amount of air which is permitted to pass. throughthe primary. air inlets l5, and secondary air. inlets I6, is reduced toa minimum. Such disk isrsused when it is desirable topass a lowamount-chair into the vaporizer l4 Thisthenpermits low fire operation ofthe combustion apparatusa When it is desirable to restore the device tohigh liquid fuel passing into the vaporizer to an amount to-accommodatemedium fire conditions.

,It would;be a. distinct advantage to be able properly to regulate andvary the amount of liquid-fuel passing into the vaporizer automaticallyrelatively to the amount of air which is drawn through the vaporizen.This. is. accomplished by means of the present. invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs..1, 2 andlti-i of the drawings,there is. shown. a liquid. fueli flow control device, or valve,indicated. generally at 26 variously positioned to permit. high flow,intermediate flow, and. low flow of liquid fuel. to. obtain high,medium, and. low fire respectively, in the burner. The valve will be.described. in. that order of. operation. 7

A preferred embodiment of the valve as herein disclosed includes; avalve stem 2'! having am opening, or gate, 28 at its. lower endfor thepassage of liquid fuel. The. longitudinalopening 28. connects theexterior of the stem. with a longitudinal recess ofequal or greaterextent in. the end of the stem. The. size of. this. opening regulatesthe flow of the fuel. other: words, theopening, or gate, 28 may bealongitudinal groove or slot extending along one side of. the. stem toits end. It. should. be noted. thatl-this device can be utilized inconnection. with. conventional. types of float valves, only a.portionot. which is. shown in the present. drawings, asind'icated at29.. The outlet for. such fuel: supply is indicated at 30. The bottomof. the. valve. stem ismounted to rise and descend in the. outlet 3'0'1The top of the valve stem. is: supported by any suitable means, such asbrackets 31' securing. the. device in aligned position to the outershell [2. The float valve containenor casingtil may. similarly beattached to. the shell IL in any. suitable manner. i

In order to regulate and. control. the. size. of the opening 28 so as tovary the amount of. oil passing therethrough. there is provideda movablemember, or sleeve, 32 which is slidably mounted over the stem, 21-. Thissleeve. passesoutwardly of. the container '29- and isv provided. at.its. end, preferably with a pulley 33: secured. thereto. At the bottomof this pulley. issecured. acami follower 34 which isdesigned to ride:upon. a cylindrical end cam- 35 surrounding thesleeve 3Z-and secured tothe top of the float.valve-containerlll-as-indtcated at, for example,36.. The sleeve-31h is. resiliently mounted by means'of a spring 31.surround.- ing the sleeve and held in tensioned positiombyi a collar38..

With a valve thus far described, theramountpi liquid fuel which ispermitted to pass. inta the vaporizer can nicely-be regulatedztoaccommodate either high. fire,. or low fire operation, as.desired; It isof particular advantage thatthis-can. be accomplished automatically incombination. with a. selectedamount-of air which: is. permitted tomangoes;

pass through the vaporizer. H Theinvention especially contemplates theuse of i such a device in connection with a fire ring such as thatindicated at where it is desired to secure very hi h fire or very lowfire without concern as to any intermediate stages of heat required.This arrangement is particularly advantageous for hot water heatingsystems as well as for central heating plants.

While the particular valve thus far described will be further discussedin connection with the annular disk disposed above the vaporizer, asindicated by the member 20, it shouldbeunderstood that it is equallyadaptable to other forms of means whereby the amount of air which ispermitted to pass through the openings in a vaporizer can selectively bevaried. For example, such means need not be of the exact shape shown andmay be otherwise disposed, for example, immediately over the air inlets.Such air control means can be of any suitable design which willaccomplish that purpose, providing the means for operating such a deviceis cooperatively connected to a valve such as that illustrated by Figs.1 to 3, so as to operate the same from high to low, or low to high fire.

Any suitable connecting mechanism which will bring about thesimultaneous operation of such a valve with such an air control meansmay be utilized. Such connecting mechanism will now be described, by wayof illustration, for use with a single annular disk, or fire ring, ofthe type shown at 20. Connected to the rod 22 is a pulley 40. Securedaround this pulley is a light cable, or wire, 4|. The cable passesaround an idler pulley 42 suitably secured to the shell l2. The cablethen passes around and is secured to the sheave pulley 33.

The operation of the illustrated device can best be understood byreference to Figs. 1 and 3. For example, when the device is set for highfire the cam follower 34 will be raised to its uppermost position on thecam 35 as indicated. Consequently, the sleeve 32 will thereby be drawninto its uppermost position against the tension of the spring 31. Thisexposes the maximum amount of outlet for the flow of the liquid fuel 43through the gate 28, outlet 30, and through the pipe 4| leading to thevaporizer l4.

When it is desired to change the operation of the device to low fire,the handle is turned and the shaft 22 and disk 20 moves to horizontalposition so that it overlies the fiange plate |1. Thus, the amount ofair which is permitted to be drawn through the vaporizer can selectivelybe chosen, for example, from very high, to very low fire. In themeantime the pulley 40 turns the cable, or wire, 4|, which in turnrotates the pulley 33 dropping the cam follower 34 to its lowermostposition on the cam35, as indicated in Fig. 3. The sleeve 32 also islowered under the tension of the spring 31 and. covers the openin orgate, 28 with the exception of a small area permitting a suiiicient,fiowof fuel to operate the burner at low fire. Highfire, of course, canagain be reached by restoring the disk 20 to vertical position asillustrated in the drawing, also automatically returning the valve 25 tohigh flow position.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that an auxiliaryarrangement can be adapted to the valve whereby intermediate fireoperation of the burner can be obtained. Here also, it should beunderstood that the device about to be describedlis .an illustrationmerely and is particularly usablewith a second ring havin anintermediate opening as heretofore described in connection with disk 23.It will become apparent, however, that the same results. can be obtainedwith other modifications, for example, those shown. in the abovementioned Breese patents, as well as other types of devices forselectively choosing an intermediate range of fire operation for theburner.

In order to obtain an intermediate flow of liquid fuel for medium fireoperation Such as, for example, with the disk 23 and intermediate sizeopening 24, provision has been made to actuate the valve stem 21. Thishas been accomplished, for example, by resiliently mounting the stem '21in such a manner that it is actuated to rise and descend in conjunctionwith the operation of the means for selectively varying the intermediateamount of air permitted to fiow into the vaporizer. vHere again a camarrangement can be utilized. A pulley 45 is secured to the stem 21.Above the pulley is a cam follower 45 which rides on end cam 41 securedto under side of the bracket 3|. A spring 48, held in position by acollar 49 pinned to the top of the stem 21, maintains the stem 21 inresiliently mounted position.

The operation of the device for medium fire is obtained by anarrangement of pulleys and cable similar to that used in connection withlow fire operation. Secured to the other rod 22 is a pulley 58. Passingaround this pulley and secured thereto is a cable 5|. This cable passesaround a pulley 52 also secured to a. bracket attached to the shell 12.The cable then passes around the pulley 45, which may also be a sheavepulley, and is secured thereto. When it is desired to brin the partsinto operative arrangement for the high fire, especially where twoapertured disks, such as 20 and 23, are used, it is first necessary toswing the disk 23 up out of position so that the pulley arrangementconnected with that disk places the valve in high fire position, therebyexposing a maximum amount of outlet 28 for the fuel to passtherethrough. When the valve is thus arranged the disk '23 may be swungdownwardly overthe opening I8 of the vaporizer l4, and the pulley 50will actuate the pulley 45 by means of the cable 5|. The cam follower46, above the pulley 45, will be drawn to the lowest point of the endcam 41 against the action of the spring 48 on the end of the valve stem21. This causes the valve stem to plunge into the outlet 30 so that anintermediate portion of the gate 28 is exposed permitting thereby achosen amount of liquid fuel, 43, to fiow through the outlet 30 andthrough the pipe 4| to the vaporizer i 4.

By the foregoing means manual operation of the flow of fuel can beeliminated. In selectin the proper fire by operating the air controlmeans, the oil flow control device is automatically operated, providinga fool-proof arrangement for fuel feed control.

While there has been illustrated a manual operation of means forselectively controlling the amount of air in conjunction with a valvedevice automatically to vary the amount of fuel in accordance with theair selection, it will of course be apparent that the entire device canbe made to operate electrically. However, in such an event Themechanical operation of such a device has many advantages. The properamount .of fuel which is brought into the vaporizer can always bedetermined automatically without concern by the operator. While floatvalves, :operated electrically, have been used, they are expensive andmust .be operated from thermostats, an added expense. In connection withthe present device, where it is desired to utilize :a motor ffDIoperating the fire rings, a thermostat may also be utilized, of course,but the operation of the valve does not depend upon the delicateoperation of such a thermostat arrangement. .It will also be observedthat expensive electrical equipment can be eliminated, and that thevalve herein illustrated can he used in conjunction with conventionaltypes of float valves and readilyadapted thereto. A material saving ininitial cost and subsequent operation is effected.

It will thus be seen that the objects hereinhefore set forth can readilyand efiiciently be attained, and since certain changes may be made inthe above device and different embodiments of the invention could bemade without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1' t is also to be understood that the followin claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention Which,'1as amatter of language, Bright be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, whatl claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. .A fuel flow control valve adapted to be connected to a float valvecontainer for use with a combustion apparatus of the type that employs afuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of air fiowinupwardly therethrou'gh, which comprises a valve member adapted to bemounted in a wall of said container and to extend therethrough to anopposite wall having :a fuel outlet therein, said valve member having anopening in one end communicating with said outlet, a flow control memberslidably mounted upon said valve member and adapted to extend fromwithin said container through said first named wall and to regulate thearea of the opening in said valve member, and means connected to saidcontrol member disposed iexteriorly of said first named wall to actuatesaid control member with respect to the opening in said valve memberselectively to vary the amount of fuel permitted to flow through saidopening to provide high and low fire operationof said'apparatus.

.2. A fuel flow control valve adapted to be connected to a float valvecontainer for use with a combustion apparatus "of the type that employsa fuel vaporizer having means :to regulate the amount of air flowingupwardly therethrough, which comprises a valve stem adapted to bemounted in a wall of said container and to extend therethrough to anopposite wall having a .fuel outlet therein, said valve stem having anopening in one end communicating With-saidoutlet, a flow control sleeveslidably and resiliently mounted upon said valve stem and adapted toextend through said first named wall to regulate the .area of saidopening, and means, including .a cam member disposed exteriorly of saidfirst named wall and a cam follower therefor connected to said sleeve toactuate said sleeve selectively to vary the amount of fuel permitted to:flowthrough the opening in said valve stem :to provide :for high andiowifine operation of said apparatus. I

A feel new control valve ,adapted to be (1011? nectdd to a floatvarl-vecontainer for use with a combustion apparatus :of the type that employsa fuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of air flowingupwardly therethrough, which corn-prises a. valve member adapted toibemounted in a wall of said container and to extend thenethrough to :anopposite wall having sa fuel outlet. therein, said valve member havingan opening intone end communicating with ,said outlet, :a flow controlmember mounted upon said valve member and adapted to extend from withinsaid container through said .first named wall and to regulate the areaof the opening in said valve member, means connected to said controlmember disposed exteriorly of said first named wall to actuate saidcontrol member with respect to the openinginsaid valve memberselectively to vary the .amount of fuel permitted to now throuahsaidopening to provide high and low {fire operation of said apparatus, andmeans connected to said valve member and adapted to be disposed .e xteriurly of saidifirst named wall to actuate said valve member with respectto .said fuel outlet and to regulate the area of the opening in saidvalve member selectively to vary the amount of .fuel permitted to nowthrough said opening to provide l or intermediate :and high fineoperation of said apparatus. p f

d. A -fuel flow control valve adapted to .be connectecl to :a. floatvalve container for use with a combustion apparatus of the type, thatemploys a fuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of airflowing upwardly therethrough. which comprises a valve. stem adapted "tobe mounted in a wall of said container and .to extend therethroughto anopposite wall having a tuel outlet therein, said valve stem having anopening intone end communicating with said outlet, .a flow controlsleeve slidably and resiliently mounted upon said valve stem and adaptedto extend throughsaid first named wall to regulate the area of saidopening, means, including a cam member .disposedexteriorly or" saidfirst named walland .a cam .tollower therefor connected to said sleevetolac'tuate said-sleeve selectively'to vary the amount of fuelpermittedto now through the openingin said valve stem to provide forhigh and low .fire operation .of said apparatus, and means including ,acam member adapted to be disposed ex'teriorly of said first named walland a cam ifollower therefor connected to said valve stem to actuatesaid .valve stem with respect to said fuel outlet and to regulate thearea of the opening in said valve stem selectively to vary the amount.of fuel permitted to flow through said opening .to provide forintermediate andthigh fire operation of said apparatus.

GUSTAVE C. PETER.

REFERENCES orreo The following references are -'of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED .sTA'rEs PATENTS Merrill June 513, 1922 *(Qbherrreiuences unmimmpago Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Breese, Jr. Feb. 28, 1928Williams Nov. 24, 1931 Gilbert May 29, 1934 Hirvonen July 2, 1935 BreeseNov. 28, 1939 r Johnson Dec. 19, 1939 Johnson July 9, 1940 Morton Sept.24, 1940 Howard et a1 July 29, 1941 Donley et a1 Sept. 16, 1941 SuchlandNov. 4, 1941 Number 10 Number Name Date Breese Jan. 6, 1942 Miller Mar.9, 1943 Landon Nov. 23, 1943 Breese Apr. 18, 1944 Martin May 30, 1944Miller et a1 Nov. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain1921 Great Britain 1939

